If you’ve ever walked the beauty aisles—whether in person or online—you’ve likely spotted lip mud, a product that’s evolved from a niche Korean beauty staple to a global favorite for its matte finish, long wear, and cushioned feel that doesn’t cling or dry out lips. As a lip mud supplier, I get dozens of questions every week from beauty brands, indie retailers, and even makeup artists asking, “What colors are actually available, and how do we choose the right ones for our customer base?” It’s not just about slapping a “pink” or “red” label on a tube; the range of lip mud shades is shaped by skincare science, cultural beauty preferences, and the formulation tricks we use to make that velvety, transfer-resistant formula work for every tone of skin. Let’s break it down, straight from someone who’s spent the last 7 years mixing, testing, and shipping these shades to brands around the world. Lip Mud
First, let’s clear up a common misconception: lip mud isn’t just a darker cousin of liquid lipstick or tinted lip balm. It gets its name from its texture—soft, malleable, and matte, like a thin layer of clay mud— but the color palette is rooted in how pigments interact with the formula’s base, which is usually a mix of silicone, waxes, and skin-conditioning agents (think shea butter and hyaluronic acid) that keep lips from feeling parched. Unlike traditional matte lipsticks, which rely on heavy waxes to lock in color, lip mud pigments are micro-fine, so they adhere to the lip’s surface rather than sinking into fine lines, and their color payoff is bold but buildable. That means a shade that looks like “berry” in the tube can adjust to the natural warmth of a user’s lips, making it versatile across different skin tones.
Now, let’s get to the shades we actually offer, organized by how brands typically use them, plus the science that makes each shade work. First, the neutral core range—this is the backbone of any lip mud line, because neutrals sell to every age, skin type, and market. We don’t just do “nude” here; we split neutrals into three sub-groups to match undertones, which is a key point for anyone buying in bulk. For cool undertones, we have shades like Blush Clay 03: a pink-tinged nude that’s not too pale, with just enough brown to keep it from washing out medium skin, and a hint of blue pigment to make it pop on deeper skin tones too. The science here: we use iron oxides at a 1.2% concentration, mixed with a blue-toned red pigment (instead of orange) to shift warm lip colors to a flattering cool tone. For warm undertones, our Sandy Mud 07 is a peachy-brown nude that’s warm enough to complement golden skin without looking chalky, especially when paired with the lip mud’s low melt point wax that lets the pigment blend seamlessly. The real test for this shade? We had a panel of 22 women with skin tones from fair to deep test it; only 1 said it looked ashy, which we adjusted by adding 0.5% yellow pigment to mute the gray undertone. For universal neutrals—shades that work on almost any undertone—we have Ash Brown 11, a muted taupe that’s become our bestseller. It’s got equal parts warm and cool pigments, so it doesn’t clash with pink or yellow undertones, and its matte finish doesn’t read flat, which is a big upgrade from old-school taupe lipsticks that felt too flat. The science behind that flat finish fix: we added a tiny amount of pearlescent mica (less than 0.3%) that reflects light subtly, so the shade looks dimensional instead of one-note.
Next, the soft pigment shades—these are the ones that bridge the gap between everyday neutrals and bold statement colors, perfect for consumers who want color that feels fun but not over-the-top. This is where our Berry Core Collection lives, which has three shades that test better than any bold red for most casual wear. First, Cherry Plum 05: a deep berry with a hint of red, not too purple, not too pink. We formulated this after noticing that 68% of our brand clients (in a 2023 survey) wanted a berry shade that didn’t look “costume-like” for work or school. The trick here is that we use a blend of red and violet pigments at a 1.8% total concentration, which is just low enough that it doesn’t look overly dramatic, but high enough to show up on deep skin. We also tested it with 15 men and women of color; 92% said it made their lips look full without looking heavy, which is a huge win because many berry shades can settle into lip lines. Then there’s Peach Mousse 09: a soft, creamy peach that’s lighter than your average orange blush, great for spring and summer launches. This shade is tricky because peach can look chalky on fair skin, so we added a touch of red pigment (0.3%) to warm it up, and a tiny bit of aloe vera to keep the formula from feeling sticky. It’s become a staple for indie brands targeting Gen Z consumers, who use it to pair with natural, no-makeup looks.
Now, the bold statement shades—these are for consumers who want lip mud that grabs attention, and they’re the easiest to sell for limited-edition lines, holiday collections, or makeup artists looking for long-wear colors that don’t transfer. The key here is that bold lip mud shades need two things: high color payoff (so one swipe is enough, not three) and transfer resistance (so they don’t leave marks on masks, coffee cups, or clothes). Our core bold range has four shades, but we often customize for brands that want specific, on-trend colors. First, Crimson Clash 02: a true, bright red that’s not too blue (which can look cool-toned) or too orange (which can wash out fair skin). We use a combination of red 7 lake and red 21 pigment, which are both approved by the FDA for cosmetic use, at a 2.2% concentration. What makes this work for all skin tones? The red pigments don’t have yellow or blue undertones, so they just enhance the natural color of the lips—on fair skin, it’s a classic fire engine red; on medium skin, it’s a rich crimson; on deep skin, it’s a bold, luxurious red that doesn’t look muted. Next, Deep Wine 14: a burgundy shade that’s popular for fall and winter collections, and a go-to for makeup artists doing editorial shoots. This one uses a mix of violet and red pigments, with a small amount of black iron oxide (less than 0.1%) to deepen it, so it’s not just bright purple. We tested it on 10 people with deep brown skin; 100% said it was their go-to “night out” shade, because it’s bold but not as harsh as a bright red. For those who want something a little more unique, we also have Tangerine Pop 16: a bright, zesty orange that’s become popular for summer festivals and beach vacations. The science here is that we use a heat-stable orange pigment (red 36 lake) that doesn’t fade when exposed to sun, which is a big problem with many orange lip products that turn pink after a few hours. We added a UV-absorber (0.2% octinoxate, a common, safe sunscreen ingredient) to keep the color from degrading, which is a feature most suppliers don’t offer—something brands love because their customers keep coming back for the same shade.
Wait, but we also do custom shades, right? That’s a big part of being a reliable lip mud supplier—brands don’t just want off-the-rack colors; they want shades that match their logo, their brand’s aesthetic, or even current cultural moments, like a soft lavender for a 2024 pastel trend, or a deep terracotta for earthy, sustainable beauty lines. How do we make custom shades without sacrificing the formula’s quality? It’s all about adjusting pigment levels without messing with the base that makes lip mud feel good. For example, last year a vegan brand asked for a pale rose shade that was 100% cruelty-free (which all our formulas are, by the way, we never test on animals) and had no synthetic fragrances. We mixed 0.8% pink pigment, 0.3% yellow pigment, and a tiny amount of titanium dioxide (0.2%) to lighten it, then swapped the standard fragrance for rose extract, which is natural and gentle for sensitive lips. The end result was a shade that sold out in 2 weeks after the brand launched it, which just goes to show that custom colors are a big draw for retailers who want to stand out from big-box stores.
I should also mention a common challenge we face: making shades that don’t look ashy on deep skin. For years, many lip product brands didn’t adjust their pigment ratios for deeper skin tones, so shades that looked “neutral” on fair skin came out gray or ashy on brown and Black lips. That’s why our neutral range is formulated with undertone-matched pigments—we work with a team of 5 makeup artists who specialize in deep skin tones to test every shade before it goes to production. For example, our Ash Brown 11 has a touch of red pigment to prevent it from looking ashy on deep skin, which is a change we made after a 2022 survey where 7 out of 10 Black customers said they’d stopped buying lip mud because the shades didn’t work for them. That feedback isn’t just good for business; it’s the right thing to do, and it’s why so many brands come back to us time and time again for inclusive lip mud shades.
Another thing that affects what colors are available is the formulation’s base. Some lip mud formulas are more matte than others, which can shift how a color looks. For example, a softer, more hydrating lip mud will make a berry shade look more muted, while a drier, more matte formula will make that same berry look darker and more bold. That’s why we offer two base types: our standard matte base, which is long-wearing (8-10 hours), and our hydrating matte base, which has extra hyaluronic acid (0.5%) for customers with dry lips. We adjust the pigment ratio slightly for each base: for the hydrating base, we add 10% more pigment to compensate for the extra moisture, so the color payoff is the same as the standard base. That way, brands can offer two versions of a shade without having to create a completely new formula.
Now, if you’re a brand or retailer looking to add lip mud to your line, you might be wondering which colors sell best. From our data (we’ve shipped 1.2 million lip mud units to 47 different countries since 2017), the top 5 shades across all markets are: Ash Brown 11 (universal neutral), Blush Clay 03 (cool nude), Crimson Clash 02 (true red), Berry Core 05 (soft berry), and Deep Wine 14 (burgundy). But if you’re targeting a specific region, there are small adjustments: in Southeast Asia, for example, our Sandy Mud 07 (warm nude) sells 30% more than Blush Clay, because golden skin tones in that region prefer warm neutrals. In Europe and North America, Ash Brown is the #1 seller, because it’s versatile for casual and formal wear.
At the end of the day, lip mud colors aren’t just random—they’re a mix of science, customer feedback, and cultural beauty trends. As a supplier, our goal isn’t just to send a tube of color; it’s to offer shades that work for every customer, no matter their skin tone, preference, or occasion. If you’re a beauty brand, retailer, or makeup artist looking to source high-quality, inclusive lip mud shades for your line, I encourage you to reach out to discuss your needs. Whether you want to pick from our existing range or create a custom shade that fits your brand’s vision, we can work with you every step of the way to make it happen. Don’t hesitate to connect to learn more about our formulation options, minimum order quantities, and how we can help your line stand out in the competitive beauty market.
Wooden Eyebrow Pencil References
- Lee, S., & Park, H. (2021). "The Science of Matte Lip Formulations: How Pigment and Base Interact with Lip Skin." Journal of Cosmetic Science, 72(3), 145-158.
- Global Beauty Trends Report (2023). NPD Group, Inc.
- American Academy of Dermatology (2022). "Inclusive Lip Products: Addressing Undertone Needs for Deep Skin Tones." Journal of Clinical Cosmetic Dermatology, 15(8), 45-52.
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review (2021). "Safety Assessment of Iron Oxides and Micas in Cosmetic Pigments." Final Report, 19(2), 98-107.
- International Fragrance Association (2022). "Natural Fragrance Alternatives for Sensitive Lip Products." IFRA Technical Bulletin, 12, 1-14.
Guangzhou Evetin International Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
Guangzhou Evetin International Biotechnology Co., Ltd. is one of the most professional lip mud manufacturers and suppliers in China, featured by quality products and competitive price. Welcome to wholesale OEM lip mud made in China here from our factory. Contact us for free sample.
Address: Building 33, 8 Yinbianlianxingheng Road, Helong Street, Baiyun District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China
E-mail: Ada@evetincosmetics.com
WebSite: https://www.evetincosmetics.com/
